Gus Poyet has insisted that he has only stayed at Sunderland because he has confidence that the club can survive this season.
The Uruguayan took charge of the Black Cats after Paolo Di Canio's sacking in October, guiding the Wearsiders to vital wins over derby rivals Newcastle United and title favourites Manchester City early on.
But he has overseen just four wins in 15 outings since November 23 which has subsequently seen Sunderland drop to second bottom on the Premier League table.
Ahead of the weekend's clash with 16th-placed Crystal Palace, Poyet has re-iterated his faith in the club by saying he would have already left if he didn't feel they were capable of avoiding relegation.
"That's why I am here. If not, I would be gone, I can promise you that. I wouldn't stay here if I was not convinced it was possible," he said.
"I am not that type of person that would just lie to myself and lie to people, 'Yes, yes, yes, it's possible'.
"Maybe I am making a mistake, who knows? But again, I believe it's possible because these 19 games I have been in charge have proved to me - we have taken 23 points - it's possible."
He added: "If you said to me on October 8 when I walked in here at 11.45pm for the first time that I was going to be in this situation with 12 games to go, I would have taken it, I would have."
